greedy

[ gree-dee ]
See synonyms for: greedygreedilygreediness on Thesaurus.com

adjective,greed·i·er, greed·i·est.
  1. excessively or inordinately desirous of wealth, profit, etc.; avaricious: the greedy owners of the company.

  2. having a strong or great desire for food or drink.

  1. keenly desirous; eager (often followed by of or for): greedy for praise.

Origin of greedy

1
First recorded before 900; Middle English gredy, Old English grædig; cognate with Old Norse grāthugr, Gothic gredags

synonym study For greedy

1, 3. See avaricious, greed.

Other words for greedy

Opposites for greedy

Other words from greedy

  • greed·i·ly, adverb
  • greed·i·ness, noun
  • o·ver·greed·i·ly, adverb
  • o·ver·greed·i·ness, noun
  • o·ver·greed·y, adjective
  • un·greed·y, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use greedy in a sentence

  • She positively wanted to pass back one or two of the saucers for refilling, but was ashamed of her greediness.

    Joyce's Investments | Fannie E. Newberry
  • But, with all their greediness and eagerness, they left ten feet square untouched on each side the subterranean.

  • Why ever do they put up with him, and his cruelty and greediness?

    Wood Magic | Richard Jefferies
  • Yes; it is just that greediness that all men have, and which I find, at the same time, so dangerous and incomprehensible.

    Garman and Worse | Alexander Lange Kielland
  • This is by no means greediness, for a measured appetite is essentially incompatible with the conditions of Indian life.

    Bill's School and Mine | William Suddards Franklin

British Dictionary definitions for greedy

greedy

/ (ˈɡriːdɪ) /


adjectivegreedier or greediest
  1. excessively desirous of food or wealth, esp in large amounts; voracious

  2. (postpositive foll by for) eager (for): a man greedy for success

Origin of greedy

1
Old English grǣdig; related to Old Norse grāthugr, Gothic grēdags hungry, Old High German grātac

Derived forms of greedy

  • greedily, adverb
  • greediness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012